NHIAA Div. III: Falcons leave no doubt

BOW - Quarterback Matt Ehrenberg scored four touchdowns, and a smothering Falcon defense allowed only 97 yards as Bow shut out Inter-Lakes/Moultonborough 42-0 in a NHIAA Division III football semifinal on Saturday.

The Lakers mustered only six first downs. Meanwhile, the Falcons racked up 289 yards, mostly on the ground.

The unsung hero of the day was Alex Reitze, who had 102 yards on 15 carries. "We wanted to hit them early and hard," said Reitze, who missed part of the season to injury.

"I told our guys we had to make a statement," said Bow coach Paul Cohen. "We had something to prove. The kids responded. Now we move to the final stage."

Field position was a huge advantage for the Falcons. Most of their drives started in Lakers territory.

Bow took advantage of a short field on its second possession to drive 45 yards in three plays, capped by an 8-yard TD run by Ehrenberg to make it 7-0.

On the ensuing kickoff, Inter-Lakes failed to cover a short, high kick and Bow recovered at the Lakers 25.

Four plays later, Ehrenberg scored again on a 1-yard plunge to make it 13-0 Bow after one quarter.

The Lakers were forced to punt from deep in their own end and again Bow had a drive start on the Inter-Lakes 43. Six plays later, Chris Robbins ran in from 10 yards out to make it 21-0.

With 40 seconds remaining, Ehrenberg ran in from the 2. A two-point conversion made it 28-0 at the half.

After a scoreless third quarter, Ehrenberg scored on a 3-yard run with nine minutes remaining.

Jason Smick scored a late touchdown late for the 42-0 final.

Inter-Lakes coach Jon Francis said the game was decided in the trenches. "The battle is won or lost on the line of scrimmage and Bow won that battle," said Francis.

The Lakers had their hands full with Falcon lineman Tucker Johnson. Johnson was often in the backfield before Lakers QB Joshua Blundo was able to hand off the ball.

"Our defensive line has been a force in the division since Week 3" said Cohen. "They got the job done today."

The Falcons will host Stevens of Claremont next Saturday at 1 p.m. in the Division III championship. It will be the first time Bow has hosted a final. The Falcons last won a Division V title on the road against Pelham in 2004.

"It's a great feeling. These guys have been playing together since fourth or fifth grade," said Johnson about being in the final. "Hopefully we can bring that title home."

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